Sunflower Oil but Not Fish Oil Resembles Positive Effects of Virgin Olive Oil on Aged Pancreas after Life-Long Coenzyme Q Addition

Abstract

An adequate pancreatic structure is necessary for optimal organ function. Structural changes are critical in the development of age-related pancreatic disorders. In this context, it has been reported that different pancreatic compartments from rats were affected according to the fat composition consumed. Since there is a close relationship between mitochondria, oxidative stress and aging, an experimental approach has been developed to gain more insight into this process in the pancreas. A low dosage of coenzyme Q was administered life-long in rats in order to try to prevent pancreatic aging-related alterations associated to some dietary fat sources. According to that, three groups of rats were fed normocaloric diets containing Coenzyme Q (CoQ) for two years, where virgin olive, sunflower, or fish oil was included as unique fat source. Pancreatic samples for microscopy and blood samples were collected at the moment of euthanasia. The main finding is that CoQ supplementation gives different results according to fat used in diet. When sunflower oil was the main fat in the diet, CoQ supplementation seems to improve endocrine pancreas structure and in particular β-cell mass resembling positive effects of virgin olive oil. Conversely, CoQ intake does not seem to improve the structural alterations of exocrine compartment previously observed in fish oil fed rats. Therefore CoQ may improve pancreatic alterations associated to the chronic intake of some dietary fat sources.

The role of glucocorticoid, interleukin-1β, and antioxidants in prenatal stress effects on embryonic microglia

“…These unexpected results led to additional assessment of prenatal stress mechanisms. We hypothesized that antioxidant enhancement, one documented mechanism of sunflower seed oil [ 24 , 25 ], may reduce effects on embryonic microglial. We tested this hypothesis by administering a different supplement with antioxidant properties, N-acetylcysteine (NAC), to pregnant dams.…”

“…Our findings of corticosterone influences on microglia, however, must be interpreted in light of the effects of oil vehicle alone, which may have prevented changes that corticosterone may otherwise have induced. This oil, like other vegetable oils, has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties [ 24 , 25 ]. In fact, we found that the co-administration of this oil together with prenatal stress was sufficient to prevent microglial changes.…”

Heterotic Effect of Different Cytoplasmic Combinations in Sunflower Hybrids Cultivated Under Diverse Irrigation Regimes

“…Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is an important oilseed crop and sunflower oil is visualised as the most potential oil to narrow the gap between the total requirements and the domestic production of edible oil in India [1]. Sunflower is widely adopted and valued for its high-quality edible oil due to the presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids in conjunction with the right amount of linoleic acid and oleic acid, which are known to reduce the risk of cardiac problems [2,3]. Sunflower hybrids are preferred over varietal populations as hybrids offer several benefits in terms of growth, development, synchronous flowering, early maturity, higher seed setting, increased productivity, fewer harvest losses, and uniform seed moisture content for storage purposes [4].…”

Characterization for Drought Tolerance and Physiological Efficiency in Novel Cytoplasmic Male Sterile Sources of Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.)

“…Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) is a commercially important oilseed crop with its oil comparable to virgin oil olive for health promoting benefits [1,2]. Botanically, sunflower is a cross-pollinating and self-incompatible plant [3].…”